Hinge construction



pril 3o, 1929.

J. RITTER, JR

HINGE CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 25, 1928 INVENTOR.

il By WMM MOM, I 'im TTORNEYS Patented Apr. 30, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFI-fles.

JULIUS RITTER, JR., OF RACINE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR, TO HARTMANN TRUNK COM-i PANY, OF RACINE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION 0F WISCONSIN.

HINGE CONSTRUCTION.

Appucaaon mea August 25, 192s. serial No. 301,975.

This invention relates to improvements in hinge construction, and more particularly to a hinge construction for hand luggage, trunks and the like.

IVardrobe cases or containers of a certain type are formed of two hingedly connected sections adapted to open with respect to each other, so that one section, when open, extends horizontally to lie flush on thev loor or :t support. If the ordinary metal hinges are used, the same form external protuberances which prevent the perfectly flat disposition of the one section of the case.

lt therefore, one of the objects of the pres` it invention to provide a non-metallic leather hinge construction for luggage in which the hinge portions do not protrude from the luggage and are flush with the surfaces thereof, permitting the fiat disposition of one section when open.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lea ther hinge construction for luggage, eliminating the necessity for any metal parts in the hinges and thereby materially inereasfingthe lightness of the luggage.

A further object `of the invention is to provide a hinge construction for luggage or cases, which, when the case sections are closed, provides a` rounded edge harmonizing in appearance with the other edges of the case, whereby the hinges are concealed, and giving to the case a neat and attractive a p i )en rance.

A further advantage of the leather hinge. construction resides in the ltact that thc case nnrv be eonslructmfl with very thin veneer board for lightness, which board would not ordinariy permit the attachment of metal hinges. i

further object of the invention is to fide a hinge construction for wardrobe ea in which the veneer boards of the case, the hinge .strips and the outer leather covering may all be joined by stitching.

A further object of the invention is to provide a leather hinge construction which vergtl simple, is strong and durablepand is well adapted for the purposes described.

With the above and other objects in View, the invention consists of the improved hinge construction, and its parts and combinations, as set forth in the claims,and all equivalents thereof.

, In the accompanying drawing in which the same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an opened wardrobe case illustrating the improved hinge construction joining the two sections of the case;

F ig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view showing adjacent portions of the case in open posit1on and the hinge construction;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the p0rtions of the case sections closed with respect to each other and the corresponding disposition of the hinge portions;

Fig. l is a :fragmentary side View of wardrobe fase when closed; and

Fig. 5 .is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of a hinge portion and the stitching therefor. i Referring now Vmore particularly to the drawing, it will appear that the numeral 8 .indicates a Wardrobe case having aY wardrobe section 9 with a rightangular lower the extension 9', and a compartment section 1() hingedly connected to the end portion of the extension section and adapted to open and close with respect to the wardrobe section.

The body portion of each case section is formed of thin sheets or strips of veneer board 1l covered on the inner surface by a fabric lining material 1.2 and covered onthe outer surface by leather 13 or the like. The corner edges of the casev sections are of a rounded construction, as indicated at 14.

The `inne1'edge of the bottom portion of the compartment section 10 is joined to the outer edge of the bottom portion of the extension 9 by the improved hinge construction. The adjacent edge portions of the sections 9 and 10 are of a rounded reinforced construction with the veneer sheets `11 rounded and covered externally with roundilierefor and also interposed between the outer surface of the veneer of the other seeton sind its outer covering, with its intermediate portion extended between the adjacent edge portions of said Walle, an auxiliary llexible srip secured over t'lie inner poi tion of :said liret-nientioneiil leXible strip und zilbo secured lo the inner surface of the veneer of the adjacent sect-ion, and stitching passed through the outer covering, the adjacentV veneer wills of both sections, the firstmentioned flexible strip, and the auxiliary flexible strip.

In testimony whereof, I ailx iny signature.

J ULIUS RITTER, JR. 

